WTC 2023-25: India Docked Two Points For Slow Over-Rate In SA vs IND Centurion Test. After a loss to South Africa by an innings and 32 runs, the Indian cricket team incurred a penalty of 2 points from the International Cricket Council (ICC). This resulted in India failing to meet the required over-rate during the Centurion Test, leading to the deduction of 2 crucial points from their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings. Additionally, the team has been fined 10% of their match fee as part of the imposed penalty. According to the ICC release, India fell short of the target by two overs, triggering the sanctions.
The ICC imposed a penalty on India because the ICC found them two overs short of the required over-rate, as the ICC stated in a release. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players face a 5% match fee fine for each over their team fails to bowl within the stipulated time. Following the Test loss, India dropped to No. 5 with 16 points and a 44.44% points percentage.
The slow-over rate penalty further pushed them down to No. 6, with 14 points and a 38.89% points percentage, slipping below Australia. India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, acknowledged their shortcomings, admitting they were not up to the mark against South Africa in the first Test, where the hosts secured victory by an innings and 32 runs.
As per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, the ICC deducted two World Test Championship points from India’s total for being two overs short. India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, admitted to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was issued by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Langton Rusere, with third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Stephen Harris also involved.
Dean Elgar To Lead South Africa In Farewell Test Against India Due To Temba Bavuma’s Injury
Dean Elgar will lead South Africa as the captain in the final Test against India, setting the stage for a fairytale farewell. This development follows Temba Bavuma’s absence due to injury, confirmed by Cricket South Africa after the conclusion of the first game.
Bavuma sustained a hamstring strain while fielding on Day 1 of the Test, leading to Elgar taking over captaincy in his absence. Elgar, who had previously announced his retirement before the series, will lead the team in the last match of his international career. His captaincy began during South Africa’s innings and 32-run victory at Centurion after Bavuma departed from the field.
Zubayr Hamza will replace Bavuma in the squad for the final Test in Cape Town, which begins on January 3. No stranger to leadership, Dean Elgar has previously captained the Proteas, notably leading them to a comeback triumph in the Test series against India. After trailing 1-0 in 2022-23, Elgar led by example, guiding the team to a 2-1 victory, while Avesh Khan replaced the injured Md Shami for the second test.
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In the recently concluded match, Elgar played a crucial role at Centurion. Following India’s dismissal for 245, he scored an impressive 185 runs in South Africa’s first innings, marking the second-highest score of his Test career.
With a substantial 163-run lead, the hosts opted not to bat again, relying on South Africa’s pacers to dismantle India’s batting lineup. The strategy proved successful as South Africa secured an innings victory, dismissing India for 131. Dean Elgar earned the Player of the Match award for his remarkable century. The series now moves to Cape Town for the final Test, commencing on January 3.